Expressing a Lack of Understanding and Asking for Clarification (+60 Useful Phrases) (2024)

Introduction

In conversations, it’s common to come across words or ideas that we don’t quite understand. This can happen when talking with friends, family, teachers, or even strangers. When this occurs, it’s important to know how to express that we’re having trouble understanding and ask for help. We use special words and phrases to do this, and they can make communication much easier.

This article explores various phrases for expressing a lack of understanding and asking for clarification

Let’s explore some of these expressions together!

Expressing A Lack Of Understanding And Asking For Clarification

Here is a list of useful English phrases you can use to express a lack of understanding (that is when you fail to understand what has been said to you) and seek clarification from the person you are talking to.

How To Express A Lack Of Understanding

When you fail to understand what has been said to you, you can use these expressions:

1. “I beg your pardon?”
2. “I beg your pardon, but I don’t quite understand.”
3. “I’m not quite sure I know what you mean.”
4. “I’m not quite sure I follow you.”
5. “I don’t quite see what you mean.”
6. “I’m not sure I got your point.”
7. “Sorry, I didn’t quite hear what you said.”
8. “Sorry, I didn’t get your point.”
9. “I don’t quite see what you’re getting at.”
10. “Could you please repeat that?”
11. “Could you please explain that again?”
12. “Could you clarify what you mean?”
13. “Could you break that down for me?”
14. “Could you simplify that for me, please?”
15. “I’m having trouble understanding. Can you help me?”
16. “I’m a bit lost. Can you explain further?”
17. “I’m confused. Can you clarify?”
18. “I’m not following. Can you elaborate?”
19. “I’m not quite catching on. Can you simplify?”
20. “I’m struggling to understand. Can you provide more detail?”

How To Ask For Clarification

When you don’t understand what someone has said, you can ask for clarification using the following expressions:

1. “What do you mean by…?”
2. “Do you mean…?”
3. “Could you say that again, please?”
4. “Could you repeat that, please?”
5. “Could you clarify that, please?”
6. “Would you elaborate on that, please?”
7. “Could you be more explicit?”
8. “Could you explain what you mean by…?”
9. “Could you give us an example?”
10. “I wonder if you could say that in a different way.”
11. “Could you put it differently, please?”
12. “Could you be more specific, please?”
13. “I didn’t quite catch that. Could you explain again?”
14. “I’m not sure I understand. Could you provide more detail?”
15. “Could you break that down into simpler terms, please?”
16. “I’m having trouble following. Could you go over it once more?”
17. “Could you clarify your point further, please?”
18. “Could you expand on that a bit?”
19. “I’m a bit confused. Could you shed some light on this?”
20. “Could you walk me through that, please?”

Clarifying One’s Point Or Idea

Expressing a lack of understanding and asking for clarification implies that the other individual should provide further explanation or context.

To clarify their idea, they can use the following expressions:

1. “Let me explain that…”
2. “Let me explain that in more detail…”
3. “Let me put it another way…”
4. “Sorry, let me explain…”
5. “In other words…”
6. “To say this differently…”
7. “To put it differently…”
8. “Allow me to elaborate…”
9. “Allow me to expand on that…”
10. “Allow me to clarify further…”
11. “Just to be clear…”
12. “To clarify my point…”
13. “To make myself clear…”
14. “To reiterate…”
15. “To emphasize…”
16. “To add further context…”
17. “To provide additional clarity…”
18. “To give you a clearer picture…”
19. “To break it down further…”
20. “To simplify, let me say…”

These expressions can help you convey your point more clearly or provide additional information to ensure better understanding by your conversation partner.

Conclusion

When you get confused in a conversation, you may resort to phrases that express your lack of understanding or ask for clarification. These phrases encourage your interlocutor to provide further explanation or context, fostering clearer communication and mutual understanding.

Acquiring this skill is essential for effective communication in various settings, enabling you to engage in complex discussions with confidence and clarity. Mastering the art of expressing a lack of understanding and asking for clarification can enhance your communication skills and build stronger connections with others.

Related Pages:

• More speaking lessons
• English practice exercises, quizzes, tests